Smoke indicator



J. BRODSKY SMOKE INDICATOR Jan. 6, 1931.

Filed April 18, 1927 xaj showing, in the Patented Jan. 6 1931 PATENTOFFICE JULIUS BRODSKY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SMOKE INDICATOR Applicationfiled April 18, 1927. Serial No. 184,610.

This invention relates to an improved smoke indicator, and has for oneof its principal objects the provision of means which will aflord to anen ineer or fireman a visible rnace room, of the density or blackness ofthe smoke issuing from any fuel burning plant.

-One of the important objects of this invention is to provide a smokeindicator which can be placed in any convenient position with'respect tothe operator of the furnace or boiler to which it is connected, therebyafiording a visible indication of the smoke density existing at any timein the stack or chimney.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a smokeindicator which can be readily installed, and whiehis independent ofobstructions in the boiler room and of the size and shape of the smokepassages, while at the, same time allowing of ready adjustments,cleaning, or repairs.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a sample ofsmoke, a pure sample. It often is of importance to know what percentageof the flue gas is carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, moisture, sulphur,etc.-a pure sample only will produce this information.

Another and still further important object of this invention is toprovide an indicator for smoke, which is rugged and simple, composed ofno moving parts, and which therefore is not subject to wear, and isalways accurate, as it actually Withdraws a small quantity of gas orsmoke from the chimney or stack, placing the same in full view of theoperator, thereby affording a positive indication of conditions in thechimney at all times.

Other and still further important objects of the invention will beapparent from the disclosures in the accompanying drawings and followingspecification.

The invention, in a preferred form, .is illustrated in the drawings andhereinafter more fully described.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the im proved smokeindicator of this invention, parts'being shown in section.

' Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus shown in Figure1.

Figure 3 is a detail view illustrating a slight modification of the flownozzle.

Figure 4 is a detail view illustrating another modification of thenozzle.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference numeral 10 indicates the body of the improved smokeindicator of the invention, comprising a casing which is approximatelycircular in form, being preferably conical and slightly elongated at itslower portion, as shown, and which may be formed of any suitablematerial, such as metal, or which, if desired, may be composed of glass.The casing 10 is provided with circular open ings at its front and rear,into which are fitted panes of glass 12, which openings, of course, maybe of any other shape, if desired. The transparent members 12 may besecurely positioned by means of annular'retaining rings 14 or by anyother suitable means, and

are supported in proper gaskets or the like 16, to provide a gas tightfit. Brackets 17 are provided to support the indicator casing on a wallor other su port.

Leading into tlie top of the indicator body 10 is an intake pipe 18which terminates in a nozzle 20 extending slightly into the centerportion of the body 10. This lead-in pipe and nozzle is secured inposition by means'of a suitable packing gland or the like 22 which maybe of any approved or suitable construction.

The shape of this nozzle 20 is important, and as indicated in Figure 1,tapers down from the full diameter of the pipe 18 to an orifice 24substantially one quarter of the inner area of the pipe 18. The sides ofthis nozzle are formed gradually sloping, as indicated, and with gentlyrounded curves so as to provide a minimum of obstruction to the flow ofthe gases, While at the same time affording a nozzle which will direct astream of gases across the diameter of the body 10 of a shape somewhatas indicated at 26 in Figure 1.

The fact that the diameter of the openings 24 is substantially smallerand preferably about one-half of the diameter of the 18 results in anatural increase in the velocity of the flow of the gas issuing from inoperation. 1

The apparatus can be easily taken apart for cleaning or repair, and, infact, a'simple reversal of the flow of air through the indi-- cator 10and the pipe 18 will suffice to blow out any accumulated soot or thelike, which, of course, can be done at regular intervals for maintainingthe apparatus at suitable operating efficiency. Steam may also be usedfor this purpose.

This stream of gases or smoke 26 is clearly visible on account of thetransparent faces 12 of the body 10, and as the pipe 18 leads directlyinto the central or any other desired portion or part of a smoke stackor chimney, a representative sample of gases can be conveniently drawntherefrom, either continuously or at any stated time. Naturally, thepipe leading to the indicator is formed with as few bends as possible,and sharp bends are eliminated. The point at which the chimney,

stack, or gas passage is tapped for indicating purposes is beyond thezone of complete combustion, as in this way a representative sample ofsmoke is obtained.

Inasmuch as the pressure in a chimney or stack is below atmospheric, itis necessary to create a still lower pressure at some point beyond theindicator 10 so as to provide a suitable flow of smoke or gases throughthe body 10 of the indicator. This is done by any suitable means, suchas a steam jet 30 or the like which operates in conjunction with aVenturi tube 32, the same being afiixed to.

the bottom of the body 10 of the indicator, or any other means forcreating the necessary sugtion may be used, as a pump or fan. The gasesdrawn through the indicator may be disposed of in any suitable way, suchas by means of a pipe or conduit.

The suction through the indicator must, of course, be such as to producea relatively high velocity in the gases issuing from the nozzle 20, andvarious other shapes or designs of nozzles may be used, as for examplethat shown at 36 in Figure 3, where the transition from the entrancepipe into the body of the indicator is had by means of a rounded throat,as shown, this being formed in a tangential curve both to avoid theresistance caused by sharp corners and to prepletelg and render acorrect determination very iflicult.

As shown at 38 in Figure 4, a still further variety of flow nozzle maybe used, which has a curved entrance leading tangentially into a verysharp cylindrical throat. The purpose of thecurved entrance is to leadthe gases or smoke smoothly to the orifice so that the same will issuein a straight cylindrical jet of the same diameter as the orifice.

It will be evident that herein is provided a smoke indicator which isreadily available to the operator of furnaces, boilers, or the stack, anindicator may be attached to each of a system of boilers so that theindividual operation of-each furnace may be accurately observed andcontrolled.

I am aware that many changes may be made and numerous details ofconstruction varied throughout a wide range without departing from theprinciples of this invention, and I therefore do not purpose limitingthe patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the priorart.

I claim as my invention:

1. A smoke indicator, comprising a casing, transparent sides in thecasing, and means for passing a sample of smoke from a chimney throughthe casing, said means comprising a pipe leading from the chimney to thecasing, and suction means for creating a pressure lower than thatexisting in the chimney at the far side of the casing, and a flow nozzlein the casing for controlling the appearance of the stream of gasestaken from the chimney while passing through the ms in A smokeindicator, comprising a casing, transparent sides in the casing, andmeans for passing a sample of smoke from a chimney through the casing,said means comprising a pipe leading to the chimney from the casing, andsuction means for creating a pressure lower than that existing in thechimne atthe far side of the casing, and a flow nozzle-in the casing forcontrolling the appearance .ofthe stream of gases taken from the chimneywhile passing through the casing, and at the same time increasing thevelocity of said stream of gases.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JULIUS BRODSKY.

it happened, would fill the indicator com;

